Financial Analysts vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $40,340 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 66.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Financial Analysts earns $180,550 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Financial Analysts | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,410 | $39,710 | +$22,700 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,300 | $48,190 | +$30,110 |
| Median (50th) | $101,350 | $61,010 | +$40,340 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,050 | $78,280 | +$53,770 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,550 | $98,990 | +$81,560 |
| Mean (Average) | $116,490 | $66,510 | +$49,980 |
Employment Numbers
Financial Analysts
340,580
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
Best Cities for Paralegals and Legal Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,230 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $84,950 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $80,550 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $79,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Financial Analysts or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $40,340 (66.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
What is the salary range for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries range from $39,710 (10th percentile) to $98,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,010.
How many Financial Analysts and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 340,580 Financial Analysts positions and 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Paralegals and Legal Assistants to Financial Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Financial Analysts has a median salary of $101,350 while Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $61,010. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS